Food & Beverage

Cyclospora outbreak nears end

Photo: Shutterstock

September 11, 2026

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Federal health officials are preparing to declare an end to the major Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce that sickened at least 11,458 people across 20 states, hospitalized 495 and was associated with two deaths, according to CNN and other major news outlets.

The outbreak was traced to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico that was distributed to restaurants and other foodservice locations. The recalled lettuce has passed its best-by dates and should no longer be available in stores or restaurants, according to the CDC.

The Cyclospora outbreak, which put Taco Bell and restaurant food safety in the spotlight this summer, has come to an end, closing the chapter on an outbreak that was difficult to trace and that disrupted restaurant traffic and prompted Taco Bell and others to take precautionary action.

The fallout extended beyond food safety. Placer.ai data showed Taco Bell traffic falling 30.9% below its day-of-week average on July 17 as news of the outbreak spread, although in August restaurant traffic began to recover.

Taco Bell parent Yum Brands also addressed the outbreak during its second-quarter earnings call. Despite the disruption, Taco Bell entered the outbreak from a position of strength, reporting a 7% increase in same-store sales during the quarter.

The end of the outbreak brings some closure to an episode that highlighted how quickly a foodborne illness investigation can affect restaurant operations, supply chains and consumer traffic.